Method for the production of printed items of clothing made from textile material

ABSTRACT

Example methods and apparatus including a method of making a printed article of clothing of fabric are described herein. A customer computer is connected for data exchange with a production computer, wherein the customer sets the design of a desired article of clothing via the computer connection by setting design parameters for a respective selection target from several possible selection targets. Based on the design setting, several print parts are printed on a printing medium by means of a printer, said printing medium being either directly a fabric panel, or an intermediate medium the print of which is transferred to fabric later. Fabric pieces are cut out from a fabric panel. The fabric panel either originates from direct printing, or from the print transfer from the intermediate medium. Otherwise, the fabric panel is unprinted and the cut fabric pieces are subjected to the print transfer later. Finally, the fabric pieces are sewn together to form the article of clothing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/515,718, filed on May 31, 2005 and claims the benefit of thefiling date of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2003/005426,filed May 23, 2003, which claims the benefit of German PatentApplication No. 102 23 375.6, filed May 25, 2002, and entitled METHODFOR THE PRODUCTION OF PRINTED ITEMS OF CLOTHING MADE FROM TEXTILEMATERIAL, which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The factory production of printed articles of clothing so far has madeuse of silk screen printing or offset printing processes. The classicalsilk screen printing process for smaller series is handcraft, withnegative effects on speed, error frequency, starting expenses per order.In case of larger series, it is possible to make use of a silk screenprinting line which, however, necessitates very high investmentexpenses. Offset printing may be used only if the length of the motif,as measured in the longitudinal direction of the fabric web, is not toolarge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show screen shots illustrating the appearance of a screenfor setting selection targets according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a mode of operation of a data processing program accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows part of a data set according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 shows the appearance of the fabric pieces for two sports shirtsafter sublimation on a fabric web according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 shows the appearance of the fabric pieces of FIG. 6 including acutting line and a working line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of the invention consists in a method of making aprinted article of clothing of fabric, characterized by the followingsteps:

(a) a computer of a customer is connected for data exchange with acomputer of a producer;(b) the customer determines, i.e. sets the design of a desired articleof clothing via the customer computer/producer computer connection bysetting for a plurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design, color,size) a respective selection target from several selection targetspossible;(c) based on data from said design setting, several print parts areprinted on a printing medium by means of a printer, said printing mediumbeing either directly a fabric panel or an intermediate medium the printof which is transferred to fabric later on;(d) fabric pieces (e.g. chest piece, back piece, sleeve piece) are cutout from a fabric panel, in which

-   -   the fabric panel either originates from direct printing.    -   or the fabric panel originates from the print transfer from the        intermediate medium,    -   or the fabric panel is unprinted and the cut fabric pieces are        subjected to the print transfer later on; and        (e) several fabric pieces are sewn together to form the article        of clothing.

By way of the method according to this embodiment of the invention, aproducer is capable of offering its customer a particularly convenientchoice of the design of an article of clothing from among a plurality ofpossibilities and, due to the reduced utilization of human activity, isable to produce in extremely efficient manner, even the smallest orderquantities. At the lower limit, the particular customer may select onesingle article of clothing in a very individual design, and this articleof clothing, because of the extremely efficient production thereof, canbe manufactured at an acceptable price in profitable manner. Largerorder quantities in an identical or partly identical article of clothingdesign, of course, are possible without any problem. The optimized andshortened processes during selection and production process lead to avery short processing time; between order and dispatch e.g. by mailthere are as a rule just a few days.

In this embodiment of the invention, the printer is controlled on thebasis of data from the design setting. This constitutes a novelcombination of the process of selecting the design of the article ofclothing and of the main process of making the article of clothing.

This embodiment is particularly preferred for making printed sportswearof fabric, i.e. in particular articles of clothing worn in the course ofsports activities or in the course of sports-related activities (e.g.training suit for warming up prior to high jump). Examples of articlesof clothing that are not sportswear are: ties, ladies blouses, ladiesdresses.

The connection for data exchange between the customer computer and theproducer computer preferably is an online connection via the Internet.The term “producer computer” also comprises one or more sub-computersthat may be physically separated from the producer computer properpermitting the selection, but are connected to the same for dataexchange.

The further description will illustrate in still clearer manner that theterm “selection target” has to be understood in many of the embodimentsof the invention. It may be a concrete series of selection targets (atthe particular design parameter), e.g. a hundred colors among which thecustomer may choose. However, in case of other design parameters, theterm “selection target” may also mean that the customer does not make asetting by selection from a concrete plurality of selection targets, butby making an input to the computer in a different manner. A typicalexample in this respect are the numbers of the players of a team to beprinted on sports shirts. Instead of having player numbers e.g. from 1to 30 stored in the computer, from which the customer makes a concretechoice, it may also be provided that the customer writes the desiredplayer number or numbers into an entry mask. This kind of “selectiontarget setting” becomes still more apparent when it is desired to printthe name of a sports club, e.g. AC MILANO. Writing by the customer intoan entry mask is the most practicable procedure in such cases. Withthose selection targets among which the customer makes a choice fromconcretely given possibilities, it is as a rule most expedient to storein the producer computer (or another memory location connected to theproducer computer for data exchange) those selection targets among whichthe customer may make a choice.

Preferably employed printers generate the print image from a largenumber of closely arranged print image dots. A type of printers commonlyemployed at present and preferred for the some of the embodiments of theinvention is the printer type operating according to the ink jetprinciple. Especially in case of ink jet printers, “controlling of theprinter for printing print parts” finally means that a command has to begiven for every print dot printed by the printer, irrespective ofwhether or not ink is to be printed on this dot; in addition thereto, acommand has to be given possibly as to the particular color to be usedfor printing a dot there. However, embodiments of the invention may makeuse of any type of printer capable of being controlled with respect tothe print images to be generated on the basis of data from the selectiontarget setting.

The printing medium on which the printer operates may be directly afabric panel.

However, in many cases it is more expedient to print the print partsfirstly on an intermediate medium, in particular impregnated paper.

Thereafter, the print may be transferred to fabric preferably bysublimation (face-to-face arrangement, application of increasedtemperature and pressure; in practical application e.g. by way of aninternally heated, rotatable roller or a heated plate-like press). As arule, the print is transferred to polyester material as the printinginks effect a perfect chemical reaction with polyester duringsublimation.

As regards the cutting of the fabric pieces, it is possible on the onehand to cut them from the fabric panel that originates from directprinting. In case of a print transfer from the intermediate medium tothe fabric, there are two possibilities: it is possible to cut out thefabric pieces from the fabric panel after the print transfer. As analternative, it is also possible to cut out from a still unprintedfabric panel and to subject the cut fabric pieces only thereafter to theprint transfer. The latter procedure is particularly expedient when acomparatively large number of fabric pieces of the same standard size isto be produced; in that event, it is possible to simultaneously cut alarger number of fabric pieces e.g. by means of a multi-ply cutter. Theprint transfer then is effected most expediently in a flat press,instead of a rotating press. The data for cutting may originate eitherfrom the design setting or from a separate source, e.g. from patternsfor the required standard sizes.

Cutting of the fabric pieces may be performed manually. As analternative, it is conceivable to make use of an automated single-plycutter or an automated multi-ply cutter in case of a larger number ofarticles of clothing that are identical in at least part of theselection target settings. The automated cutters may be controlledpreferably on the basis of data from the afore-described setting of theclothing design. An alternative possibility is an optical control on thebasis of the outline of the print image on the fabric. The cutters mayoperate making use of a rotating blade or a laser beam.

As the cut fabric pieces then have to be sewn together to form thearticle of clothing, the fabric pieces have to be cut with a seamallowance in addition to the fabric piece visible in the finishedarticle of clothing. On the one hand, there is the possibility toutilize the edge of the print for the respective fabric piece as acutting line; in this case, the particular fabric piece has to beprinted in a manner that is “too big” by the seam allowance. On theother hand, as shown in FIG. 7, there is the possibility to utilize as acutting line a line 701 spaced in parallel from the edge of the printimage and to use the edge of the print 702 as a “working line” when thefabric pieces are sewn together (in practical application, the seam isto be located slightly beside the edge of the print so that there willbe no unprinted fabric parts visible in the finished article ofclothing).

Sewing together of a plurality of fabric pieces to form the article ofclothing may be carried out using a sewing machine, with the operatordetermining the position of the seam by feeding fabric pieces incorresponding manner. As an alternative, a partly automated or fullyautomated sewing machine may be employed which automatically feeds thefabric pieces to be sewn to each other to the sewing location.

The main elements (1) producer computer, (2) printer, (3) optionallyprint transfer station, (4) cutting station, (5) sewing station may bepositioned in spatially close vicinity to each other. However, it isalso possible to have spatial distances between individual ones orseveral ones of these main elements. For example, it is possible toconnect the producer computer for data exchange to the printer or evento transmit the data to the printer on a data carrier. The transfer ofthe print medium from the printer to the sublimation press may beautomated or be effected manually; there may even be a transportdistance therebetween. The same holds for the transfer from thesublimation press to the cutting station. Furthermore, the same holdsanalogously for the transfer from the cutting station to the sewingstation. Intermediate storage means may be provided between individualones or all of the main elements, but this is no cogent necessity.

Another embodiment of the invention is an article of clothing made inaccordance with the method described hereinbefore.

A second embodiment of the invention is a method of making printedfabric pieces for an article of clothing, characterized by the followingsteps:

(a) a computer of a customer is connected for data exchange with acomputer of a producer;(b) the customer sets the design of a desired article of clothing viathe customer computer/producer computer connection by setting for aplurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design, color, size) arespective selection target from several selection targets possible;(c) based on data from said design setting, several print parts areprinted on a printing medium by means of a printer, said printing mediumbeing either directly a fabric panel or an intermediate medium the printof which is transferred to fabric later on;(d) fabric pieces (e.g. chest piece, back piece, sleeve piece) are cutout from a fabric panel, in which

-   -   the fabric panel either originates from direct printing,    -   or the fabric panel originates from the print transfer from the        intermediate medium,    -   or the fabric panel is unprinted and the cut fabric pieces are        subjected to the print transfer later on.

This method differs from the method described hereinbefore in that it nolonger contains the step of sewing together several fabric pieces toform the article of clothing. The gist of this embodiment of theinvention can also be realized without the sewing step.

An additional embodiment of the invention consists in fabric pieces foran article of clothing that are manufactured in accordance with themethod described immediately hereinbefore.

A third embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a data setfor making a printed article of clothing of fabric, characterized by thefollowing steps:

(a) a computer of a customer is connected for data exchange with acomputer of a producer;(b) the customer sets the design of a desired article of clothing viathe customer computer/producer computer connection by setting for aplurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design, color, size) arespective selection target from several selection targets possible; and(c) in consideration of this design setting, a data set is compiledwhich is representative of the desired design of the article of clothingand is suited and intended to be utilized as basis for, with respect tothe print images, electronically controlled printing of print parts on aprinting medium which are used in making the article of clothing to beproduced.

This method differs from the method described first hereinbefore in thatthe actual printing step, the cutting step and the sewing step are notincluded therein. This method goes as far as compiling a data set suitedand intended to be utilized as basis for printing the print parts.

An additional embodiment of the invention is a data record or data setfor making a printed article of clothing of fabric that is generated inaccordance with the method described immediately hereinbefore.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is a method of making printedfabric pieces for an article of clothing, characterized by the followingsteps:

(a) on the basis of a data set which is representative of the desireddesign of the article of clothing, print parts are printed on a printingmedium by means of a printer that is controlled electronically withrespect to the print images:(b) the printing medium being either directly a fabric panel or anintermediate medium the print of which is transferred to fabric lateron;(c) and fabric pieces (e.g. chest piece, back piece, sleeve piece) arecut out from a fabric panel, in which

-   -   the fabric panel either originates from direct printing,    -   or the fabric panel originates from the print transfer from the        intermediate medium,    -   or the fabric panel is unprinted and the cut fabric pieces are        subjected to the print transfer later on.

This method differs from the method described first hereinbefore in thatit commences with a data set that is representative of the desireddesign of the article of clothing and comprises the main steps ofprinting and cutting; the step of sewing the fabric pieces together toform the article of clothing is not necessarily part of this method.

An additional embodiment of the invention consists in fabric pieces foran article of clothing made in accordance with the method describedimmediately hereinbefore.

Preferably, the possible selection targets are graphically representedfor the customer on a display means for at least one of the designparameters. The customer may then choose, e.g. by clicking, a selectiontarget setting (with respect to this concrete design parameter). It hasalready been indicated hereinbefore that it may be more practical withsome types of selection targets to perform the selection target settingin a different manner.

At least for part of the selection target settings, it is preferablygraphically illustrated to the customer on a display means what thearticle of clothing looks like when the latter is designed with aspecific selection target setting. This does not have to be a truerepresentation of the article of clothing. A more or less schematicrepresentation of the article of clothing is sufficient. What isimportant to the customer is mainly the optical impression in case ofcombinations of specific selection target settings for several designparameters. A typical example: with a basic design of “longitudinalstripes on the chest and stars on the back”, what will the colorcombination red/black for the longitudinal stripes and black ground withwhite stars on the back look like?

Preferably, there is provided a function permitting the customer to makefirst a preliminary selection target setting, to have a look at theresult of this preliminary selection target setting on the display meansand to then either make this selection target setting final or revert toan alternative selection target setting.

The design parameters among which a selection may be made preferablyinclude at least one of the following group:

-   -   basic design (e.g. longitudinal stripes, transverse stripes on        chest, arcuate boundary of color areas);    -   arm length/leg length/overall length;    -   cut (e.g. slim-fit, male, female);    -   shape of neck opening (e.g. larger opening, smaller opening,        V-neck, round neck);    -   type of collar (e.g. turn-down collar or just different kind of        fabric than in the adjoining fabric section);    -   wristband yes/no;    -   color;    -   several different colors (e.g. for the stripes, for chest/back,        for the script objects);    -   script object (e.g. name of club, name of player, number of        player); placement of script object;    -   typeface of script object;    -   logo (e.g. club logo, sponsor logo);    -   placement of logo;    -   size of article of clothing (e.g. S for small, M for medium, L        for large, XL); fabric quality.

The design parameters preferably include at least the following ones:

-   -   basic design;    -   several different colors;    -   size of the article of clothing.

Preferably, the customer is given the possibility of taking influence onthe printing size as regards the script objects and the logo. Especiallyas regards the logo, the customer is preferably given the possibility toelectronically transfer the desired logo (which the customer itself hasdownloaded to its customer computer e.g. via the Internet) to theproducer computer via the customer computer/producer computerconnection.

The methods according to the some of the embodiments of the inventionare suited to have produced, for one specific customer X, a singleconcrete article of clothing with the selection target settings made bythis customer (analogously other customers Y, Z, . . . ). Naturally, thecustomer x (e.g. a wholesaler) may also order 50 identical articles ofclothing. A particularly interesting possibility is, however, thesituation that the customer X (e.g. a sports club) orders e.g. 100articles of clothing having an identical selection target setting forpart of the design parameters (e.g. basic design, shape of neckline,collar variant, colors), but having at least partially differentselection target settings (e.g. 10 articles of clothing in size S withplayer numbers, 2, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 22) for another part ofthe design parameters.

It is preferred with regard to such situations that, for part of thedesign parameters, the selection target setting is made the same for amultiple number of articles of clothing and that, for another part ofthe design parameters, the selection target setting is not made the samefor the multiple number of articles of clothing.

The methods according to the some of the embodiments of the inventionare excellently suited to perform not only the described setting of thearticle of clothing design via the customer computer/producer computerconnection, but also the ordering proper by the customer at theproducer's and/or the payment agreements concerning the article orarticles of clothing. The payment agreements may include terms e.g. forpayment by the customer by cash on delivery or by a cheque/transfer inthe amount indicated or by the customer giving a direct debitauthorization or by agreeing on payment by credit card with a specificnumber or by payment by way of a different payment mode of electronictrading.

Preferably, the entire selection target setting is transmitted to thecustomer so that the latter may place his order in confirmation of thisselection target setting. The transmission may be effected by e-mail ortelefax or by ordinary mail. At least part of the selection targetsettings may be made by characterization in words (e.g. female, largeround neckline, . . . ). Preferably, a more or less schematic graphicalrepresentation of the article of clothing to be ordered is transmittedas well. This graphical representation does not have to contain allselection target settings, but should contain the particularlyconspicuous selection target settings, such as e.g. color settings.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is a production means for makingprinted fabric pieces for an article of clothing, characterized by:

(a) a printer that is controlled electronically with respect to theprint images, for printing print parts on a printing medium,(b) the printing medium being either directly a fabric panel or anintermediate medium the print of which is transferred to fabric lateron;(c) and a producer computer adapted to be connected to a customercomputer so as to permit a customer to set the design of a desiredarticle of clothing,(d) the producer computer being capable of generating, in considerationof the customer's design setting, a file as basis for controlling theprinter.

As can be seen immediately, this production means serves to carry outproduction steps as described hereinbefore in connection with methodsaccording to this embodiment of the invention. It is emphasized that allpreferred features of the inventive methods described in the presentapplication—as regards the physical character thereof—are also preferredfeatures of the production means according to many embodiments of theinvention.

A sixth embodiment of the invention is a data processing program adaptedto be utilized in making a printed article of clothing of fabric,characterized in that there is provided:

(a) a first program part permitting a program user, by means of adisplay means and an input means, to set a respective selection targetby command for a plurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design,size, color) of an article of clothing to be made, said first programpart having the function of compiling a data set representative of thedesired design of the article of clothing in consideration of thesetting commands; and(b) a second program part having the function of generating a graphicsfile making use of the data set, said graphics file being adapted to beutilized as basis for printing print parts on a printing medium whichare used in making the article of clothing to be produced.

It can be seen that it is possible by means of this data processingprogram to perform the methods according to the embodiment of theinvention described hereinbefore. The term “adapted to be utilized asbasis for printing print parts on a printing medium which . . . ” waschosen to cover the two possibilities described further above, namelyprinting on an intermediate medium and subsequent transfer to fabric orprinting directly on fabric.

The first program part preferably has the function of allowing for atleast one design parameter the setting of a selection target with theaid of a graphical representation of several possible selection targetson the display means.

The first program part preferably has the function of graphicallyrepresenting an article of clothing on the display means and, at leastfor part of the design parameters, of altering the graphicalrepresentation in accordance with the setting commands. The article ofclothing, as already mentioned hereinbefore, may be represented in moreor less schematic manner. It is not absolutely necessary to show theentire article of clothing, but it may be sufficient to show only partof the article of clothing.

The first program part preferably has the function that the program usermay alter a selection target setting made. This is particularlyuser-friendly when a preliminary selection target setting made first isrealized in the graphical representation of the article of clothing andwhen the program user then has the alternative possibilities ofconfirmation or making a new target selection setting for the samedesign parameter.

The data processing program, as regards the design parameters for whicha selection may be made, preferably comprises at least one parameter ofthe group listed hereinbefore in connection with the method, and inparticularly preferred manner the group of three design parametersindicated hereinbefore in connection with the method.

The first program part for making a related number of articles ofclothing preferably comprises the following functions:

-   -   there is at least one design parameter of a first kind which has        the same selection target setting for the full number of        articles of clothing, which is referred to as number parameter;    -   there is at least one design parameter of a second kind which        has a selection target setting permitting a dissimilar setting        for the number of articles of clothing, which is referred to as        specimen parameter;    -   the selection target setting for the at least one number        parameter and the respective selection target setting for the at        least one specimen parameter are made one after the other;    -   and by combining the at least one number parameter selection        target setting and at least one specimen parameter selection        target setting, the respective data set is compiled for each        article of clothing of the number of articles of clothing.

This preferred design renders the production of a number of articles ofclothing uncomplicated in which part of the design parameters is thesame for the entire number, whereas this does not hold for another partof the design parameters, as explained hereinbefore by way of a moredetailed example. It is emphasized that the number parameter orparameters can be established first by selection target setting,whereupon the specimen parameter or parameters may be established byselection target setting; however, this sequence may also be reversed.

Preferably, the second program part cooperates with a data memorystoring a respective plurality of initial graphics files for the printparts of the article of clothing to be produced, namely initial graphicsfiles for all selection targets at least with respect to one designparameter; and the second program part has the function of picking outan initial graphics file in accordance with the data set and to modifythe same with respect to the selection target setting of other designparameters.

It is particularly expedient to have especially the basic designs storedin the data memory from the very beginning. However, it is also possibleto have already combinations of several design parameters in the datamemory, preferably all basic designs in each size. The selected term“modify” means in most cases that the file chosen from the data memoryis supplemented in accordance with the data set, e.g. by a specificcollar, a specific club name or a selection target setting with respectto the fabric quality. In many cases, this will mean at the same time analteration of the file since e.g. the area for printing a club name in acontrasting color formerly showed image dots in the basic color of thebasic design.

The second program part preferably has the function of taking account ofthe aspect of a space-saving arrangement of the print parts on theprinting medium. For example, it is possible to place e.g. beside chestpieces, narrow fabric pieces for collars. It may be practical to rotatesome print parts e.g. by 90° for printing in order to thus exploit theprinting medium as efficiently as possible.

The graphics file generated by the second program part preferably isgiven to a printer driver, preferably a raster image processing printerdriver, which controls a printer for printing print parts. The secondprogram part preferably makes use of vectorial data. The printer driverprocesses the output data of the second program part such that theprinter (usually controlled in X/Y coordinate fashion) may be controlledin optimum manner by means of the processed data. In addition thereto,it is possible to obtain by means of RIP a more perfect color matchingin printing. The printer driver may have a spool function permitting thedata to be processed sequentially. There may also be a mirroringfunction there, which is expedient for printing on intermediate medium.

A seventh embodiment of the invention is a computer system havinginstalled therein a data processing program which may be utilized inmaking a printed article of clothing of fabric, said data processingprogram being characterized in that there is provided:

(a) a first program part permitting a program user, by means of adisplay means and an input means, to set a respective selection targetby command for a plurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design,size, color) of an article of clothing to be made, said first programpart having the function of compiling a data set representative of thedesired design of the article of clothing in consideration of thesetting commands; and(b) a second program part having the function of generating a graphicsfile making use of the data set, said graphics file being adapted to beutilized as basis for printing print parts on a printing medium whichare used in making the article of clothing to be produced.

It can be seen that this computer system has the particular dataprocessing program installed therein that was described hereinbefore.All preferred features described in conjunction with the data processingprogram according to the some embodiments of the invention preferablycan be provided in the computer system according to this embodiment ofthe invention as well.

It is pointed out that all statements made hereinbefore in connectionwith the data processing program are applicable and may also be usedwith respect to the method according to this embodiment of the inventionand with respect to the production means according to many embodimentsof the invention. The same holds inversely for statements madehereinbefore in connection with the method according to many embodimentsof the invention.

It is possible and preferred in the method according to the someembodiments of the invention and the data processing program accordingto some embodiments of the invention as well as the computer systemaccording to some embodiments of the invention to make available on theone hand a considerable number of design parameters for the selectionactivity of the customer or program user and—which is particularlyimportant—to offer on the other hand a very large number of selectiontargets each for some of the selection parameters. For example, it ispreferred to offer at least 50 basic designs and/or at least 40 colorsand/or at least four sizes and/or at least five typefaces for scriptobjects.

An additional embodiment of the invention is a computer program producthaving the afore-described features of the data processing programaccording to the some embodiments of the invention. Preferred featuresof the data processing program are also preferred features of thecomputer program product. A preferred embodiment of the computer programproduct is a machine-readable data carrier having the data processingprogram according to this embodiment of the invention stored thereon.

The “method of . . . ”, “production means for . . . ”, “data processingprogram for . . . ”, “computer system for . . . ” hereinbefore alwaysmade reference in singular form to producing an article of clothing. Ofcourse, this language is to comprise also the case in which a pluralityof articles of clothing is made in close relationship in terms of time.The “fabric pieces for an article of clothing” are referred to in pluralform as there are usually several fabric pieces necessary for a completearticle of clothing. However, it is emphasized that some embodiments ofthe invention are also methods, a production means, a data processingprogram and a computer system in which the production aim is only onesingle printed fabric piece for an article of clothing (or severalprinted fabric pieces, and only one thereof for each respective articleof clothing). For example, it is possible to make e.g. a necktie fromone single printed fabric piece that is sewn to itself along a seam.Another example is a neck scarf. In addition thereto, the scope of manyembodiments of the invention also comprises articles of clothing inwhich the fabric pieces in part are printed, but in part have also beenmade in a different manner. An example is a bathing suit having a frontpiece printed and a back piece of conventional single-color fabric.

It has been pointed out hereinbefore that the method described in thefirst instance is a method according to an embodiment of the inventionalso without the sewing step (e). It is to be pointed out here that, inaddition thereto, the cutting step (d) may be omitted as well and thatthe thus resulting method with steps (a), (b), (c) is an alternativemethod according to some embodiments of the invention.

A customer 2 has a customer computer 4, e.g. a PC, and operates the sameby means of a keyboard 6 and mouse 8, respectively, and a screen 10. Thecustomer computer 4 is online connected, via the Intemrnet, to aproducer computer 12, e.g. a network server of a producer company. Theproducer computer 12 has stored in the memory thereof a plurality ofrespective selection targets as possibilities to be selected for aplurality of design parameters (numerous examples of design parameterswere already given hereinbefore). For example, in the manner of a menuand/or by way of link fields, the customer 2 may proceed from designparameter to design parameter and may have the selection targetsavailable for each design parameter indicated to him either in the formof words or as an optical representation. In part of the designparameters (e.g. script object, size), the selection target isdetermined or set by making an entry (e.g. of letters, numbers). Byclick-operation or entering, the respective selection is then made, andat the end the setting for the entire design of the article of clothingis established. Thereafter, the ordering process proper and the paymentagreements may be made, also online.

The producer computer 12 thus has available all data for handling theproduction of one or several articles of clothing ordered (optionallyalso the data for the dispatch address and the payment).

In the following, the production will be described first for the case inwhich the order comprises only one single article of clothing, e.g.bathing shorts:

A printer 14 is controlled on the basis of data from the producercomputer 12 such that it prints, on one and the same paper section—abathing shorts front piece and a bathing shorts back piece, e.g. in sexmale, size XL, legs medium length, bathing shorts back piece basic colorblue with a white large star, bathing shorts front piece longitudinalstripes blue/red, without number, without name, without advertising. Apaper section from a paper supply 16 (in the form of a roll or a stack)is fed each time to the printer 14 either automatically or manually.

The printed paper section is transferred automatically or manually to asublimation press 18 which, in addition to the particular paper section,is fed with a fabric section from a fabric supply 20 (roll or stack)before the sublimation operation is carried out. For performing thesublimation operation, the fabric section has to lie on the papersection face to face, which may be effected manually or automatically.The sublimation press 18 performs the sublimation operation with theapplication of pressure and heat. The sublimation press 18 may operateusing a heated rotating roller against which an endless, revolving feltweb is pressed; in the gap between the roller and the felt web, thepaper section and the fabric section are conveyed lying face to face oneach other. As an alternative, it is possible to make use of a pressworking in stationary manner, with the paper section and the fabricsection being inserted therein. The heated press is then closed.Sublimation means ink transfer from the paper section to the fabricsection.

Either in automated fashion or by hand, the fabric section is then fedto a cutter 22. On the basis of data from the producer computer 12, thecutter 22 cuts out the bathing shorts front piece and the bathing shortsback piece from the fabric section either simultaneously or one afterthe other, so that there are formed two fabric pieces 24 a and 24 b. Forsewing the fabric pieces 24 a and 24 b together at a station 26, thefabric pieces 24 a and 24 b are either packed together and dispatched toa locally remote station 26, or they are sewn to each other in theimmediate vicinity of the facilities 14, 16, 18, 20, 22.

When one and the same article of clothing in identical design is to beproduced in a larger number, e.g. 30 pieces for a sports club or 100pieces for a group of sportswear shops or 1000 pieces for a chain ofdepartment stores, the production process proceeds analogously asdescribed hereinbefore for a single article of clothing. However, it maybe advantageous to provide for intermediate storage of the control datafor the printer 14 and/or the cutter 22 at the respective apparatus.

It can also be seen from the description given hereinbefore that it ispossible without any problem in the method according to some embodimentsof the invention to produce a larger number of articles of clothing, inwhich a respective selection target varies from article of clothing toarticle of clothing (e.g. one soccer shin with player number 1, onesoccer shirt with player number 2 etc.), and it is possible to produce arespective group of alike articles of clothing and to make a changethereafter (e.g. 10 basketball shorts in size M, 20 basketball shorts insize L, 20 basketball shorts in size XL, etc.). All of this iscontrolled by the producer computer 12 directly or indirectly inautomatic fashion.

It can be seen from the description given hereinbefore that the customer2 is in the position to make a choice in extremely convenient mannerfrom an extremely large number of possibilities (without the producerhaving to physically produce e.g. sample series) and that the producercompany is capable of making do with a minimum of human resources whilestill being able to produce efficiently also in case of the lowermostlimit of an individual order quantity, namely one single article ofclothing.

It is to be demonstrated by way of FIGS. 2 and 3 in what manner theselection target setting presents itself to the customer 2 on his screen10.

FIG. 2 shows the state after the customer 2 has set a specific basicdesign 50 on the left-hand menu bar. The basic design 50 set isschematically illustrated on the screen 10, namely front piece (furtherto the bottom on the screen) and back piece (further to the top on thescreen) folded into the screen plane and at the same time held togetheralong the subsequent shoulder seam. The sleeve pieces are also foldedinto the screen plane and at the same time joined to the front piece andto the back piece along the sleeve seams.

When the customer 2 moves the mouse 8 to place the cursor onto a field52 “sleeve”, there will appear a menu bar on which the customer 2 maymake a setting from among several sleeve lengths by way of a mouseclick. When the customer 2 moves the mouse 8 to place the cursor on afield 54 “cuts”, a menu bar for several cuts will open, e.g. male orfemale. When the customer 2 moves the mouse 8 to place the cursor on afield 56 “fabrics”: there will open a menu bar with several kinds offabrics expressed in words among which he may make a selection targetsetting. When the customer 2 moves the mouse 8 to place the cursor on afield 58 “collars”, there will open a menu bar permitting the customer 2to choose from among a plurality of collar types—indicated as words oras graphical representations—, such as e.g. sports shirt collar or plaincollar in the form of a narrow fabric strip.

FIG. 2 illustrates the state in which the customer 2 has ‘selected thedesign parameter “typefaces”. In the menu bar shown to the right of theset basic design 50 illustrated, the customer 2 may make a selectiontarget setting from among a large number of typefaces, e.g. more instraight print, more in written form, with or without frame. The number“24” illustrated in FIG. 2 is a place-holder which later on is replacedby the actually desired player number.

To the very right in FIG. 2, one can see a menu bar for colors. Thecustomer 2 first moves the cursor onto one of the color fields A, B, C(A standing for the main color in chest piece and back piece, B standingfor the color of the sleeves and the shoulder portions, C standing forthe color-contrasting edge strip on chest piece and back piece and thecollar) and then sets the respective target color for the areas A, B, Con the menu bar. The graphical representation 50 will then change itscolors to the three colors set.

The menu bars shown for basic design, typeface, colors are scroll downbars, which thus are considerably longer than shown in FIG. 2 and may bescrolled down.

A selection target setting made with respect to the design parametersdescribed so far may be stored and is then indicated in the horizontalbar underneath the basic design representation 50. It may remain storedso as to be available for subsequent orders by the customer 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates the appearance of the screen 10 in the next stage ofthe selection target setting, namely inputting of the so-called specimendata. The customer 2 may enter the player number to be printed, theplayer name to be printed, the number of shirts therefor and the shirtsize therefor. As regards player number, player name and shirt number,this input is made by way of the keyboard 6, whereas with respect to thesize the customer 2 may scroll through the possible sizes by mouseclick.

By way of FIGS. 4 and 5, a data processing program according to the oneembodiment of invention is to be illustrated in more detail in exemplaryfashion.

FIG. 4 illustrates a producer computer 12. Arrows 30, 32, 34 representselection target commands of a program user, which are preferably inputvia the described connection customer computer 4/producer computer 12.Among the same, arrow 30 symbolically indicates selection targetcommands given on the basis of a graphical representation of severalselection targets possible, e.g. by click-operation. Arrow 32symbolically indicates selection target commands given by making awritten entry in an entry mask. Arrow 34 symbolically indicatesselection target commands that are not identical for all articles ofclothing of a number of articles of clothing.

The entirety of the selection target commands 30, 32, 34 serves toestablish a data set which may also be understood as an order file of aspecific customer. FIG. 5 illustrates the contents of the data set 36.The abbreviation AP stands for design parameter. The data set in theupper portion contains the design-related data, with the selectiontargets set, namely I 4, II 2, III 3, being shown in frames. The dataset in the lower portion contains the specimen-related data. Thedesign-related partial data set is added to each specimen-relatedpartial data set. When there is a number of n pieces of articles ofclothing to be made, the entire process is carried out n times.

The producer computer 12 generates one or more graphics files 38 inconsideration of the data of the data set 36. The graphics files 38constitute the optical representation of a print part to be printed, andthese files 38 are printed by printer 14.

A second program part accesses a data memory. The latter stores thegraphics information of the selective print parts to be printed, for allbasic designs (e.g. transverse stripes) and variations (e.g. longsleeves and short sleeves).

In this regard, a print part (e.g. front piece) consists of one or morepartial areas (e.g. stripes on the front piece).

For each size (e.g. XL) selected, the second program part retrieves fromthe data memory those print parts that correspond to the selectiontarget n-tuple of the data set 36 (e.g. front piece, back piece, sportsshirt collar, long sleeves in the design selected).

In the next steps, the print parts will be matched in accordance withthe data from the data set 36.

In the data memory, all partial areas variable in color are associatedwith color groups. The individual partial areas are shown in accordancewith their color group in the colors selected by way of data set 36(e.g. it was pointed out in data set 36 that the main color is to bewhite and the color of the transverse stripe red).

Moreover, the additional design elements (e.g. logos) specified in dataset 36 are inserted in the print parts (if required). In doing so, thelogos are both placed at the corresponding location in the print partand transformed. Transforming means that the respective logo is scaledto the desired dimensions and that there are possibly performedrotations and distortions.

Analogously therewith, the script objects (e.g. club name, player name)are inserted in the corresponding print parts. In doing so, position andtransformation are taken over again. In addition thereto, the scriptobjects are matched in terms of typography (i.e. typeface, formattingetc.) and coloring with regard to the selection target settingscontained in data set 36.

The script contents are matched in accordance with data set 36 as well.For example, all shirts are given the team name “AC Milano”, but eachshirt is given a different number and a different player name. Ifnecessary, the second program part matches the dimensions and thetypography of the script object to the script contents. For example, thename “J.R.” has a different width than the name “Ehrenmann”, andpossibly there will also be utilized a larger typeface for the name “J.R.”.

In addition thereto the second program part arranges the print parts asideally as possible with respect to restrictions of the target media(width and length of fabric and possibly paper) and with respect to thefurther operational process.

Finally, the second program part stores the finished print parts in aformat that can be interpreted by the printer driver.

For the actual production of the article of clothing, the data 40 aresupplied from the producer computer 12 from one graphics file 38, mostlyhowever from several graphics files 38, to a printer driver 42. Theprinter driver 42 controls the printer 14 such that all paper printparts of the order under consideration are printed sequentially in termsof time in accordance with the fabric pieces to be produced.

FIG. 6 illustrates what the fabric pieces 24 look like after thesublimation step on a fabric web. A fabric web e.g. of a width of 1.5 mhas, in a space-saving arrangement, a front piece at the upper left, aback piece at the upper right, a first sleeve at the lower left and asecond sleeve at the lower right. The fabric pieces are sublimated,where possible, in closely adjoining manner along a common border line.At the very bottom in FIG. 6, one can see the two collar pieces for thetwo shirts sublimated in closely adjoining manner along a common borderline. The words “GROSS” and “KLEIN” are representative of two playernames; the word “MILANO” is representative of a team name.

FIG. 6 illustrates furthermore the appearance of the overall graphicsfile for a production order. FIG. 6 just reflects the printing result onthe paper as printed by printer 14 on the basis of graphics file 36 (ina right/left mirror image with respect to FIG. 6), from which the fabricpieces 24 were then formed by sublimation.

In practical application, the printer 14 is started best after theproducer computer 12 has received a larger number of orders, e.g. afterthe lunch break of each working day. All orders present will then besettled by printing, sublimating, optionally cutting, optionally sewing.It is, for example, possible to print on an entire paper roll (across awidth of 1 m, 130 m length) to a more or lesser extent.

In some embodiments of the invention it is easily possible to print anorder number assigned by the producer computer 12 for each order,optionally along with a date, at an inconspicuous small location of theshirt, and in addition thereto e.g. an identical number on all printparts for the particular article of clothing. In this manner, therelated print parts of each article of clothing may easily be foundagain and brought together after the cutting operation.

Further subject matter of the invention is indicated in the followingparagraphs.

A method of making a printed article of clothing of fabric,characterized by the following steps:

(a) a computer of a customer is connected for data exchange with acomputer of a producer;(b) the customer sets the design of a desired article of clothing viathe customer computer/producer computer connection by setting for aplurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design, color, size) arespective selection target from several selection targets possible;(c) based on data from said design setting, several print parts areprinted on a printing medium by means of a printer, said printing mediumbeing either directly a fabric panel or an intermediate medium the printof which is transferred to fabric later on;(d) fabric pieces (e.g. chest piece, back piece, sleeve piece) are cutout from a fabric panel, in which

-   -   the fabric panel either originates from direct printing,    -   or the fabric panel originates from the print transfer from the        intermediate medium,    -   or the fabric panel is unprinted and the cut fabric pieces are        subjected to the print transfer later on; and        (e) several fabric pieces are sewn together to form the article        of clothing.

A method of making printed fabric pieces for an article of clothing,characterized by the following steps:

(a) a computer of a customer is connected for data exchange with acomputer of a producer;(b) the customer sets the design of a desired article of clothing viathe customer computer/producer computer connection by setting for aplurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design, color, size) arespective selection target from several selection targets possible;(c) based on data from said design setting, several print parts areprinted on a printing medium by means of a printer, said printing mediumbeing either directly a fabric panel or an intermediate medium the printof which is transferred to fabric later on;(d) fabric pieces (e.g. chest piece, back piece, sleeve piece) are cutout from a fabric panel, in which

-   -   the fabric panel either originates from direct printing,    -   or the fabric panel originates from the print transfer from the        intermediate medium,    -   or the fabric panel is unprinted and the cut fabric pieces are        subjected to the print transfer later on.

A method of generating a data set for making a printed article ofclothing of fabric, characterized by the following steps:

(a) a computer of a customer is connected for data exchange with acomputer of a producer;(b) the customer sets the design of a desired article of clothing viathe customer computer/producer computer connection by setting for aplurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design, color, size) arespective selection target from several selection targets possible; and(c) in consideration of this design setting, a data set is compiledwhich is representative of the desired design of the article of clothingand is suited and intended to be utilized as basis for, with respect tothe print images, electronically controlled printing of print parts on aprinting medium which are used in making the article of clothing to beproduced.

A method of making printed fabric pieces for an article of clothing,characterized by the following steps:

(a) on the basis of a data set which is representative of the desireddesign of the article of clothing, print parts are printed on a printingmedium by means of a printer that is controlled electronically withrespect to the print images;(b) the printing medium being either directly a fabric panel or anintermediate medium the print of which is transferred to fabric lateron; and(c) fabric pieces (e.g. chest piece, back piece, sleeve piece) are cutout from a fabric panel, in which

-   -   the fabric panel either originates from direct printing,    -   or the fabric panel originates from the print transfer from the        intermediate medium,    -   or the fabric panel is unprinted and the cut fabric pieces are        subjected to the print transfer later on.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs abovecharacterized in that, for at least one design parameter, the possibleselection targets are indicated graphically to the customer on a displaymeans.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, characterizedin that, for at least part of the selection target settings, it isgraphically indicated to the customer on a display means what thearticle of clothing looks like with the respective selection targetsetting.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, characterizedin that the design parameters comprise at least one of the followinggroup:

basic design (e.g. longitudinal stripes, transverse stripes on chest,arcuate boundary of color areas);arm length/leg length/overall length;cut (e.g. slim-fit, male, female);shape of neck opening;type of collar;wristband yes/no;color; several different colors;script object; placement of script object;typeface of script object;logo;placement of logo;size of article of clothing; and/or fabric quality.

A method as described in the preceding paragraph characterized in thatthe design parameters include at least the following ones: basic design;several different colors; or size of the article of clothing.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs characterizedin that, for part of the design parameters, the selection target settingis made the same for a multiple number of articles of clothing; andthat, for another part of the design parameters, the selection targetsetting is not made the same for the multiple number of articles ofclothing.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs characterizedin that the printing medium is paper and in that the print istransferred to fabric by sublimation.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs characterizedin that in that cutting out of the fabric pieces takes place by means ofan automated cutter.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs characterizedin that the cutter is controlled on the basis of data from the settingof the article of clothing design.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs characterizedin that the placement of an order by the customer is effected via thecustomer computer/producer computer connection.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs characterizedin that an agreement as to the payment for the article of clothing ismade via the customer computer/producer computer connection.

A method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs characterizedin that the customer's design setting is transmitted to the customer toallow the latter to order in confirmation of this design setting.

A production means for making printed fabric pieces for an article ofclothing, characterized by:

(a) a printer that is controlled electronically with respect to theprint images, for printing print parts on a printing medium;(b) the printing medium being either directly a fabric panel or anintermediate medium the print of which is transferred to fabric lateron,(c) and a producer computer adapted to be connected to a customercomputer so as to permit a customer to set the design of a desiredarticle of clothing; and(d) the producer computer being capable of generating, in considerationof the design setting by the customer, a file as basis for controllingthe printer.

A data processing program adapted to be utilized in making a printedarticle of clothing of fabric characterized in that:

(a) there is provided a first program part permitting a program user, bymeans of a display means and an input means, to set a respectiveselection target by command for a plurality of design parameters (e.g.basic design, size, color) of an article of clothing to be made, saidfirst program part having the function of compiling a data setrepresentative of the desired design of the article of clothing inconsideration of the setting commands; and(b) that there is provided a second program part having the function ofgenerating a graphics file making use of the data set, said graphicsfile being adapted to be utilized as basis for printing print parts on aprinting medium which are used in making the article of clothing to beproduced.

A data processing program as described in any preceding paragraph,characterized in that the first program part has the function, at leastone design parameter the setting of a selection objective to enableusing a graphical representation of several possible selection targetson the display device.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph above,characterized in that the first program part has the function to displayan item of clothing on the display device graphically, in at least someof the design parameters to modify the graphical representation inaccordance with the setting commands.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph abovecharacterized in that the first part of the program has the functionthat the program user can change a selection made target setting.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph abovecharacterized in that the design parameters of at least one from thefollowing group include:

basic design (e.g., longitudinal stripes, transverse stripes on chest,arcuate boundary of color areas);arm length/leg length/total length;interface (e.g. fitted, male, female);neck shape; collar;cuffs yes/no;color;several different colors;font object;placement of script object;font of the font object;logo; placement of the logo;size of the garment: and/orquality fabric.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph abovecharacterized in that the design parameters include at least thefollowing ones: basic design; several different colors; and/or size ofthe article of clothing.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph abovecharacterized in that the first program part for making a related numberof articles of clothing comprises the following functions:

there is at least one design parameter of a first kind which has thesame selection target setting for the full number of articles ofclothing, which is referred to as number parameter;there is at least one design parameter of a second kind which has aselection target setting permitting a dissimilar setting for the numberof articles of clothing, which is referred to as specimen parameter;the selection target setting for the at least one number parameter andthe respective selection target setting for the at least one specimenparameter are made one after the other; andby combining the at least one number parameter selection target settingand at least one specimen parameter selection target setting, therespective data set is compiled for each article of clothing of thenumber of articles of clothing.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph abovecharacterized in that the second program part cooperates with a datamemory storing a respective plurality of initial graphics files for theprint parts of the article of clothing to be produced, namely initialgraphics files for all selection targets at least with respect to onedesign parameter; and that the second program part has the function ofpicking out an initial graphics file in accordance with the data set andto modify the same with respect to the selection target setting of otherdesign parameters.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph abovecharacterized in that the second program part has the function of takingaccount of the aspect of a space saving arrangement of the print partson the printing medium.

A data processing program as described by any preceding paragraph abovecharacterized in that the graphics file generated by the second programpart is given to a printer driver, preferably a raster image processingprinter driver, which controls a printer for printing print parts.

A computer system having installed therein a data processing programwhich may be utilized in making a printed article of clothing of fabric,said data processing program being characterized in that there isprovided:

(a) a first program part permitting a program user, by means of adisplay means and an input means, to set a respective selection targetby command for a plurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design,size, color) of an article of clothing to be made, said first programpart having the function of compiling a data set representative of thedesired design of the article of clothing in consideration of thesetting commands; and(b) a second program part having the function of generating a graphicsfile making use of the data set, said graphics file being adapted to beutilized as basis for printing print parts on a printing medium whichare used in making the article of clothing to be produced.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that the firstprogram part has the function of allowing for at least one designparameter the setting of a selection target with the aid of a graphicalrepresentation of several possible selection targets on the displaymeans.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that the firstprogram part has the function of graphically representing an article ofclothing on the display means and, at least for part of the designparameters, of altering the graphical representation in accordance withthe setting commands.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that the firstprogram part has the function that the program user may alter aselection target setting made.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that thedesign parameters comprise at least one of the following group: basicdesign (e.g. longitudinal stripes, transverse stripes on chest, arcuateboundary of color areas); arm length/leg length/overall length; cut(e.g. slim-fit, male, female); shape of neck opening; type of collar;wristband yes/no; color; several different colors; script object;placement of script object; typeface of script object; logo; placementof logo; size of article of clothing; and/or fabric quality.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that thedesign parameters include at least the following ones: basic design;several different colors; and/or size of the article of clothing.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that the firstprogram part for making a related number of articles of clothingcomprises the following functions: there is at least one designparameter of a first kind which has the same selection target settingfor the full number of articles of clothing, which is referred to asnumber parameter; there is at least one design parameter of a secondkind which has a selection target setting permitting a dissimilarsetting for the number of articles of clothing, which is referred to asspecimen parameter; the selection target setting for the at least onenumber parameter and the respective selection target setting for the atleast one specimen parameter are made one after the other; and bycombining the at least one number parameter selection target setting andat least one specimen parameter selection target setting, the respectivedata set is compiled for each article of clothing of the number ofarticles of clothing.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that thesecond program part cooperates with a data memory storing a respectiveplurality of initial graphics files for the print parts of the articleof clothing to be produced, namely initial graphics files for allselection targets at least with respect to one design parameter; andthat the second program part has the function of picking out an initialgraphics file in accordance with the data set and to modify the samewith respect to the selection target setting of other design parameters.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that thesecond program part has the function of taking account of the aspect ofa space saving arrangement of the print parts on the printing medium.

A computer system according to any of the preceding paragraphs in whichthe installed data processing program is characterized in that thegraphics file generated by the second program part is given to a printerdriver, preferably a raster image processing printer driver, whichcontrols a printer for printing print parts.

1. A method of making a set of printed fabric pieces with fabric piecedimensions confined by respective cutting lines for use in an article ofclothing, wherein the printed fabric pieces each are provided with aprint having a print-size corresponding, or nearly corresponding to oneof (i) the dimensions of the respective printed fabric piece, and (ii)the dimensions of the respective printed fabric piece minus seamallowance, wherein at least some of said printed fabric pieces havingsaid print sizes each are provided with a multi color print composed ofa plurality of color areas, and wherein the set of printed fabric piecescomprises at least two fabric pieces provided with different multi colorprints having different arrangements of color areas, the methodcomprising: transmitting data, by a producer computer having a datamemory, wherein said data enables a customer to set a plurality ofdesign parameters of a design of the article of clothing, wherein thedata transmitted by the producer computer includes data to enable thecustomer to visualize a plurality of possible basic designs for thearticle of clothing, the basic designs having different configurationsfor the boundaries of the color areas within said multi color prints,wherein the data transmitted by the producer computer further enablesthe customer to set a basic design by selecting from the plurality ofpossible basic designs, and wherein the data transmitted by the producercomputer further enables the customer to set colors for said prints,including colors for the color areas of said multi color prints byselecting from a plurality of possible colors; receiving by the producercomputer data representing the plurality of design parameters selectedby the customer, including data representing the selected basic designand data representing the selected colors associated with said printsincluding colors associated with the color areas of said multi colorprints; generating a graphics file by making use of graphics informationof various basic designs stored in the data memory of the producercomputer, and by making use of the data representing the plurality ofdesign parameters selected by the customer; printing, based on thegraphics file, a set of prints for the set of printed fabric pieces on aprinting medium, the printing being effected with the selected colors,including the selected colors for the color areas of said multi colorprints, the printing being further effected to produce the print sizescorresponding, or nearly corresponding to one of (i) the dimensions ofthe respective printed fabric piece, and (ii) the dimensions of therespective printed fabric piece minus seam allowance, and the printingbeing further effected to produce the at least two different multi colorprints having different arrangements of color areas, wherein theprinting medium is one of (i) fabric, and (ii) an intermediate medium,from which the prints are then transferred to fabric; and cutting outfabric pieces for the set of printed fabric pieces either before orafter the fabric pieces have been provided with the prints.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising sewing at least some ofthe printed fabric pieces together to form the article of clothing. 3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the printing medium comprisesthe fabric pieces to be sewn together to form the article of clothing.4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting datato further enable the customer to visualize the plurality of possiblecolors, and/or to visualize, for at least one further design parameter,a plurality of setting options on a display.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising transmitting data to further enable, for thecolors and/or at least one further design parameter, a graphicalrepresentation to the customer on a display, the graphicalrepresentation corresponding to what the article of clothing looks likewith the respective selection for the colors and/or at least one furtherdesign parameter.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the designparameters further comprise at least one of: dimensions; cut; shape ofneck opening; type of collar; wristband; script object; placement ofscript object; typeface of script object; logo; placement of logo; sizeof the article of clothing; and type of fabric.
 7. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the set of printed fabric pieces includes aplurality of sets of printed fabric pieces, each set for use in arespective one article of clothing, the method further comprising:transmitting data, by the producer computer, to enable the customer tomake, concerning at least one design parameter, a selection that is thesame for all sets of printed fabric pieces, and to make, concerning atleast one further design parameter, selections that are different foreach set from the plurality of sets of printed fabric pieces.
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the printing medium is paper andthe print is transferred to each fabric piece by sublimation.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the producer computer is furtherconfigured to receive an order by the customer.
 10. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the customers design setting is transmitted to thecustomer to allow the latter to order in confirmation of this designsetting.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein cutting out the fabricpieces comprises cutting out the fabric pieces by an automated cutter.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the automated cutter is controlledby data from the producer computer.
 13. The method according to claim11, wherein the automated cutter is optically controlled on the basis ofthe outline of the respective print on the fabric.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein printing is electronically controlled withrespect to the prints.
 15. The method according to claim 1, whereinprinting is performed using an ink jet printer.
 16. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the article of clothing comprises the printed fabricpieces of said set of printed fabric pieces and further comprises atleast one additional fabric piece.
 17. A system for making a set ofprinted fabric pieces with fabric piece dimensions confined byrespective cutting lines for use in an article of clothing, wherein theprinted fabric pieces each are provided with a print having a print sizecorresponding, or nearly corresponding to one of (i) the dimensions ofthe respective printed fabric piece, and (ii) the dimensions of therespective printed fabric piece minus seam allowance, wherein at leastsome of said printed fabric pieces having said print sizes each areprovided with a multi color print composed of a plurality of colorareas, and wherein the set of printed fabric pieces comprises at leasttwo fabric pieces provided with different multi color prints havingdifferent arrangements of color areas, the system comprising: a producercomputer, having a data memory, operable to exchange data with acustomer computer, the producer computer configured to transmit datathat enable the customer to set a plurality of design parameters of adesign of the article of clothing and wherein the producer computer isfurther configured to receive data representing the plurality of designparameters selected by the customer, wherein the producer computer isfurther configured to transmit data to enable the customer to visualizea plurality of possible basic designs for the article of clothing, thebasic designs having different configurations for the boundaries of thecolor areas within said multi color prints, wherein the producercomputer is further configured to transmit data that further enable thecustomer to set a basic design by selecting the basic design from theplurality of possible basic designs, and wherein the producer computeris further configured to transmit data that further enable the customerto set colors for said prints, including colors for each of theplurality of color areas of said multi color prints by selecting from aplurality of possible colors, wherein the producer computer isconfigured to generate a graphics file by making use of graphicsinformation of various basic designs stored in the data memory of theproducer computer, and by making use of the data representing theplurality of design parameters selected by the customer; a printingdevice coupled to the producer computer, the printing device configuredto print, based on the graphics file, a set of prints for the set ofprinted fabric pieces on a printing medium, printing being effected withthe selected colors, including the selected colors for the color areasof said multi color prints, the printing being further effected toproduce the print sizes corresponding, or nearly corresponding to one of(i) the dimensions of the respective printed fabric piece, and (ii) thedimensions of the respective printed fabric piece minus seam allowance,and the printing being further effected to produce the at least twodifferent multi color prints having different arrangements of colorareas, wherein the printing medium is one of (i) fabric, and (ii) anintermediate medium, from which said prints are then transferred tofabric; and a cutter configured to cut out fabric pieces for the set ofprinted fabric pieces either before or after the fabric pieces have beenprovided with said prints.
 18. The system according to claim 17, whereinthe printing medium is the intermediate medium, and wherein the systemfurther comprises a station for print transfer from the intermediatemedium to fabric.
 19. The system according to claim 17, furthercomprising a station for sewing together a plurality of printed fabricpieces so as to form the article of clothing.
 20. The system accordingto claim 17, wherein the cutter is an automated cutter.
 21. The systemaccording to claim 20, wherein the automated cutter is controlled bydata from the producer computer.
 22. The system according to claim 20,wherein the automated cutter is optically controlled on the basis of theoutline of the respective print on the fabric.
 23. The system accordingto claim 17, wherein the printing device is electronically controlledwith respect to the prints.
 24. The system according to claim 17,wherein the printing device is an ink jet printer.
 25. The systemaccording to claim 17, wherein the article of clothing comprises theprinted fabric pieces of said set of printed fabric pieces and furthercomprises at least one additional fabric piece.
 26. The system accordingto claim 17, wherein the design parameters further comprise at least oneof: dimensions; cut; shape of neck opening; type of collar; wristband;script object; placement of script object; typeface of script object;logo; placement of logo; size of the article of clothing; and type offabric.
 27. A computer system for making a set of printed fabric pieceswith fabric piece dimensions confined by respective cutting lines, foruse in an article of clothing, wherein the printed fabric pieces eachare provided with a print having a print size corresponding, or nearlycorresponding to one of (i) the dimensions of the respective printedfabric piece, and (ii) the dimensions of the respective printed fabricpiece minus seam allowance, wherein at least some of said printed fabricpieces having said print sizes each are provided with a multi colorprint composed of a plurality of printed color areas, and wherein theset of printed fabric pieces comprises at least two fabric piecesprovided with different multi color prints having different arrangementsof color areas, the computer system comprising: a producer computer,having a data memory, configured to exchange data with a customercomputer, the producer computer configured to transmit data that enablethe customer to set a plurality of design parameters of a design of thearticle of clothing, wherein the producer computer is further configuredto receive data representing the plurality of design parameters selectedby the customer, wherein the producer computer is further configured totransmit data to enable the customer to visualize a plurality ofpossible basic designs for the article of clothing, the basic designshaving different configurations for the boundaries of the color areaswithin said multi color prints, wherein the producer computer is furtherconfigured to transmit data that further enable the customer to set abasic design by selecting the basic design from the plurality ofpossible basic designs, wherein the producer computer is furtherconfigured to receive data representing the basic design selected by thecustomer, wherein the producer computer is further configured totransmit data that further enable the customer to set colors for saidprints, including colors for each of the plurality of color areas ofsaid multi color prints by selecting from a plurality of possiblecolors, wherein the producer computer is further configured to receivedata representing the selected colors for said prints, includingrespective colors associated with the plurality of color areas of saidmulti color prints, wherein the producer computer is further configuredto generate a graphics file by making use of graphics information ofvarious basic designs stored in the data memory of the producercomputer, and by making use of the data representing the plurality ofdesign parameters selected by the customer, the graphics file for use inprinting said prints for the set of printed fabric pieces on a printingmedium, the printing being effected with the selected colors, includingthe selected colors for the color areas of said multi color prints, theprinting being further effected to produce the print sizescorresponding, or nearly corresponding to one of (i) the dimensions ofthe respective printed fabric piece, and (ii) the respective printedfabric piece minus seam allowance, and the printing being furthereffected to produce the at least two different multi color prints havingdifferent arrangements of color areas, wherein the printing medium isone of (i) fabric, and (ii) an intermediate medium, from which theprints are then transferred to fabric.
 28. The computer system accordingto claim 27, wherein the computer system is further configured to allow,for at least one additional design parameter beyond the basic design,the setting of a selection target with the aid of a graphicalrepresentation of several possible selection targets on a display. 29.The computer system according to claim 27, wherein the design parametersfurther comprise at least one of: dimensions; cut; shape of neckopening; type of collar, wristband; script object; placement of scriptobject; typeface of script object; logo; placement of logo; size of thearticle of clothing; and type of fabric.
 30. The computer systemaccording to claim 27, further configured to utilize a space-savingarrangement of the set of prints on the printing medium.
 31. Thecomputer system according to claim 27, further comprising a cuttingdevice coupled to the producer computer, the cutting device configuredto cut out the fabric pieces for the set of fabric pieces from a fabric,the fabric being in one of the states before or after the set of printshave been printed on the fabric or transferred to the fabric.
 32. Thecomputer system according to claim 31, wherein the cutting device is anautomated cutter.
 33. The computer system of claim 32, wherein theautomated cutter is optically controlled on the basis of the outline ofthe respective print on the fabric.
 34. The computer system of claim 27,wherein the article of clothing comprises the printed fabric pieces ofsaid set of printed fabric pieces and further comprises at least oneadditional fabric piece.
 35. A method of making a set of printed fabricpieces with fabric piece dimensions confined by respective cutting linesfor use in an article of clothing, wherein the printed fabric pieceseach are provided with a print having a print size corresponding, ornearly corresponding to one of (i) the dimensions of the respectiveprinted fabric piece, and (ii) the dimensions of the respective printedfabric piece minus seam allowance, wherein at least some of said printedfabric pieces having said print sizes each are provided with a multicolor print composed of a plurality of printed color areas, and whereinthe set of printed fabric pieces comprises at least two fabric piecesprovided with different multi color prints having different arrangementsof color areas, the method comprising: providing a producer computer,having a data memory, and a customer computer, wherein the producercomputer and the customer computer are connected and configured toexchange data; transmitting data, by the producer computer, wherein saiddata enables a customer to set a plurality of design parameters of adesign of the article of clothing, wherein setting a plurality of designparameters includes setting a basic design by selecting from theplurality of possible basic designs provided on a display device, thepossible basic designs having different configurations for theboundaries of the color areas within said multi color prints, andwherein setting a plurality of design parameters further includessetting colors for said prints, including colors for each of theplurality of color areas of said multi color prints by selecting from aplurality of possible colors and associating the selected colors to saidprints, including said multi color prints; generating a graphics file bymaking use of graphics information of various basic designs stored inthe data memory of the producer computer, and by making use of the datareceived by the producer computer that represents the plurality ofdesign parameters selected by the customer; providing a printer andproducing the set of printed fabric pieces by controlling the printer onthe basis of the graphics file, to print a set of prints for the set ofprinted fabric pieces on a printing medium, wherein producing the set ofprinted fabric pieces includes printing with the selected colors, theprinting being further effected to produce the print sizescorresponding, or nearly corresponding to one of (i) the dimensions ofthe respective printed fabric piece, and (ii) the dimensions of thefabric piece minus seam allowance, the printing being further effectedto produce the at least two different multi color prints havingdifferent arrangements of color areas, and wherein the printing mediumis one of (i) fabric, and (ii) an intermediate medium, from which theprints are then transferred to the fabric; and cutting out the fabricpieces for the set of fabric pieces either before or after the fabricpieces have been provided with said prints.
 36. The method according toclaim 35, further comprising sewing at least some of the fabric piecestogether to form the article of clothing.
 37. The method according toclaim 35, wherein the printing medium is the fabric pieces to be sewntogether to form the article of clothing.
 38. The method according toclaim 35, further comprising transmitting data to further enable, for atleast one design parameter, a graphical representation to the customeron a display corresponding to what the article of clothing looks likewith the respective selection for the at least one design parameter. 39.The method according to claim 35, wherein the design parameters furthercomprise at least one of: dimensions; cut; shape of neck opening; typeof collar; wristband; script object; placement of script object;typeface of script object; logo; placement of logo; size of the articleof clothing; and type of fabric.
 40. The method according to claim 35,wherein the act of providing a computer of a producer for exchangingdata with a computer of a customer further comprises placing an order bythe customer is effected via an internet connection.
 41. The methodaccording to claim 35, wherein the customer's design setting istransmitted to the customer to allow the latter to order in confirmationof this design setting.
 42. The method according to claim 35, whereinthe printer is electronically controlled with respect to the prints. 43.The method according to claim 35, wherein the printer is an ink jetprinter.
 44. The method of claim 35, wherein the article of clothingcomprises the printed fabric pieces of said set of printed fabric piecesand further comprises at least one additional fabric piece.
 45. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the cutting is performed by an automatedcutter that is controlled by data from the producer computer.
 46. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the cutting is performed by an automatedcutter that is optically controlled on the basis of the outline of therespective print on the fabric.
 47. A method comprising: enabling acustomer to visualize a plurality of possible basic designs for anarticle of clothing, wherein the plurality of basic designs havedifferent configurations for boundaries of color areas within aplurality of multi color prints; generating data representing aplurality of design parameters selected by the customer, including botha selected basic design and selected colors associated with a pluralityof prints, wherein the selected colors further include a set of selectedcolors associated with color areas of the plurality of multi colorprints; generating a graphics file based on the data and also based ongraphics information of various basic designs stored in a data memory ofa computer; printing, based on the graphics file, a set of prints for aset of printed fabric pieces on a printing medium, the printing beingeffected with the selected colors, including the set of selected colorsfor the color areas of the plurality of multi color prints, wherein theprint sizes correspond, or nearly correspond, to one of (i) dimensionsof a respective printed fabric piece, and (ii) dimensions of arespective printed fabric piece minus seam allowance, and wherein theprinting produces at least two different multi color prints havingdifferent arrangements of color areas.
 48. The method according to claim47, further comprising cutting out fabric pieces for the set of printedfabric pieces either before or after the fabric pieces have beenprovided with the prints.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein cuttingout the fabric pieces comprises cutting out the fabric pieces by anautomated cutter.
 50. The method according to claim 49, wherein theautomated cutter is optically controlled on the basis of the outline ofthe respective print on the fabric.
 51. The method according to claim47, further comprising sewing at least some of the printed fabric piecestogether to form the article of clothing.
 52. The method according toclaim 47, wherein the printing medium is one of (i) fabric, and (ii) andintermediate medium, from which the prints are then transferred tofabric.
 53. The method according to claim 47, wherein the plurality ofdesign parameters further comprise at least one of: dimensions; cut;shape of neck opening; type of collar; wristband; script object;placement of script object; typeface of script object; logo; placementof logo; size of the article of clothing; and type of fabric.
 54. Themethod according to claim 47, wherein the set of printed fabric piecesincludes a plurality of sets of printed fabric pieces, each set for usein a respective one article of clothing, the method further comprising:generating further data selected by a customer concerning at least onedesign parameter that is the same for all sets of printed fabric pieces,and concerning at least one further design parameter that is differentfor each set from the plurality of sets of printed fabric pieces. 55.The method according to claim 47, wherein the printing medium is paperand the print is transferred to each fabric piece by sublimation. 56.The method according to claim 47, wherein printing is electronicallycontrolled with respect to the prints.
 57. The method according to claim47, wherein printing is performed using an ink jet printer.
 58. Themethod according to claim 47, wherein the article of clothing comprisesthe printed fabric pieces of said set of printed fabric pieces and atleast one additional fabric piece.
 59. A system comprising: a firstcomputer configured to enable a customer to visualize a plurality ofpossible basic designs for an article of clothing, wherein the pluralityof basic designs have different configurations for boundaries of colorareas within a plurality of multi color prints, and wherein the firstcomputer is configured to allow a customer to select a plurality ofdesign parameters; a second computer, having a memory, configured toexchange data with the first computer and further configured to generatedata representing the plurality of design parameters selected by thecustomer, including both a selected basic design and selected colorsassociated with a plurality of prints, wherein the selected colorsfurther include a set of selected colors associated with color areas ofthe plurality of multi color prints, wherein the second computer isfurther configured to generate a graphics file based on the data andalso based on graphics information of various basic designs stored inthe memory; a printing device coupled to the second computer, theprinting device configured to print, based on the graphics file, a setof prints for a set of printed fabric pieces on a printing medium,wherein the printing is effected with the selected colors, including theset of selected colors associated with the color areas of the pluralityof multi color prints, wherein the printing is further effected toproduce the print sizes corresponding, or nearly corresponding to one of(i) dimensions of a respective printed fabric piece, and (ii) dimensionsof a respective printed fabric piece minus seam allowance, wherein theprinting is further effected to produce the plurality of multi colorprints having different arrangements of color areas.
 60. The system ofclaim 59, further comprising a cutter configured to cut out fabricpieces for the set of fabric pieces either before or after the fabricpieces have been provided with said prints.
 61. The system according toclaim 60, wherein the cutter is an automated cutter.
 62. The systemaccording to claim 61, wherein the automated cutter is controlled bydata from the second computer.
 63. The system according to claim 61,wherein the automated cutter is optically controlled on the basis of theoutline of the respective print on the fabric.
 64. The system of claim59, wherein the printing medium is one of (i) fabric, and (ii) anintermediate medium, from which the prints are then transferred tofabric.
 65. The system according to claim 59, wherein the printingmedium is an intermediate medium, and wherein the system furthercomprises a station for print transfer from the intermediate medium tofabric.
 66. The system according to claim 59, further comprising astation for sewing together a plurality of printed fabric pieces so asto form the article of clothing.
 67. The system according to claim 59,wherein the printing device is electronically controlled with respect tothe prints.
 68. The system according to claim 59, wherein the printingdevice is an ink jet printer.
 69. The system according to claim 59,wherein the article of clothing comprises the printed fabric pieces ofsaid set of printed fabric pieces and further comprises at least oneadditional fabric piece.
 70. The system according to claim 59, whereinthe design parameters further comprise at least one of: dimensions; cut;shape of neck opening; type of collar; wristband; script object;placement of script object; typeface of script object; logo; placementof logo; size of the article of clothing; and type of fabric.